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Dometic Roof A/C Strikes Again!
08-24-2015, 04:26 PM
RustyDometic Roof A/C Strikes Again!
A couple of years ago, the thermostat decided to turn on the heat strips AND the A/C simultaneously, and, of course, tripping the breaker. With a month left on warranty, the dealer replaced the control board and provided a new digital thermostat. Things went back to normal.
On the road today, running the genset and the roof air, all was well until I left the last store. The breaker tripped. I got parked for the night, tried the A/C several times; each time it tripped the breaker.
So I disconnected the heat strip, and all is well.
UPDATE: After running well for over an hour, the compressor quit...fortunately, I'm at my place at DAV, and we'll move to the trailer (where the A/C works) tomorrow.

Got a replacement (Atwood) going to Nick Cagle's.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
08-25-2015, 11:39 AM
Keith HopperI can relate. Got rear AC going just before trip to Florida. Second day, front AC bellied up.
1988 Regency
38' Gillig
3208 T Cat 08-25-2015, 11:57 AM
Steve VWAC? What's that? Oh, that's right, we ran them twice this summer.
It was 52 here this morning. It looks like summer's over already.

9708-M0037-37MM-01
"98" Monarch 37
Spartan MM, 6 spd Allison
Cummins 8.3 325+ hp
08-25-2015, 04:14 PM
Rusty93° outside, 80° in the trailer (It helps that it's under cover); Barth is 95°.
The odd thing is when I was with Tom Johns and Nick at Creekwood Farm, I mentioned that the Dometic was gone come spring (It's just stupidly loud; the older ones had a 3-speed fan, and Low was tolerable). The Atwood is magnitudes more efficient, quieter, and more powerful.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
08-26-2015, 12:38 PM
Rustypplmotorhomes got the A/C shipped, and it should arrive at the Cagles' tomorrow! Got an installer arranged for Friday evening/Sat AM.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
08-28-2015, 02:54 PM
RustyI'm at Cagles', the A/C is here, and the installer will do either this evening or tomorrow morning.

And the clouds have held the temps down, so the dogs are doing fine.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
08-29-2015, 08:33 AM
Keith HopperDoes the Atwood you bought also heat? I will be following your experience because I need to replace the larger front unit.
1988 Regency
38' Gillig
3208 T Cat 08-29-2015, 11:41 AM
RustyI got the 15K non-ducted unit which includes the heat pump and a remote. The inside shroud is extra. Total was $545+$77 (+$176 shipping).
It's installed and working just fine. High speed on the fan is quieter than the Dometic on low.
Postscript: Casey and Nelson are happy - first time in 5 days they haven't been panting on the Barth.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
I put in both Atwood 15000 with heat pumps this spring. I like them.
I have access to buy thru work so I had them delivered there. Used the forklift to take the old off and put the new up top. I installed myself. Relatively easy.
Do they heat? Yes above freezing they will provide heat.
Dana & Lynn
1997 38ft Monarch front entry
Spartan Mountain Master Chassis
Cummins 8.3 325hp
Allison MD-3060 6 speed
22.5 11R
Cummins Factory Exhaust Brake
8000 watt Quiet Diesel Generator
9608-M0022-38MI-4C
Christened Midnight
1972 22ft
72081169MC22C
Christened Camp Barth
08-30-2015, 08:51 AM
Keith HopperNow where am I gonna get a forklift?
1988 Regency
38' Gillig
3208 T Cat 08-30-2015, 09:32 AM
Tom and JulieTwo strong guys and a ladder did mine.
1993 32' Regency Wide Body, 4 speed Allison Trans, Front Entry door, Diamond Plate aluminum roof &
1981 Euro 22' w Chevy 350 engine and TH 400 tranny
08-30-2015, 10:22 AM
REGLOVERI have two Dometic air cond, I found that at least once a year I have to remove shroud and clean the inside of the condenser . On my Dometic the fan pulls the air in from the sides of the unit blow out threw the condenser leaving all the crap on the inside fins of the coil, not a good set up if you have a lot of cottonwood trees.
Ralph Glover
1976 27' Barth
P-30 454
1998 Tracker Toad
08-30-2015, 10:31 AM
Richard_MuiseAnyone recommend a specific model AC to replace my units in my 94 Breakaway? Both still work but are less than 100%. Thanks, Richard
R.P.Muise 1994 Breakaway/Cummins 5.9/Allison transmission/Spartan Chassis
08-30-2015, 08:04 PM
billyt53quote:
Anyone recommend a specific model AC to replace my units in my 94 Breakaway? Both still work but are less than 100%. Thanks, Richard
You can't go wrong with the Atwood Richard. We have been using and selling them for a while now with absolutely no issues. They are very efficient too, the 13,500 BTU comes in at 16,000 BTU's and the 15k model comes in at 18k. They are the quietest roof air on the market too.
The unknown is that since Dometic has purchased Atwood, I wonder if they will continue to produce this unit or redesign their existing product line using the Atwood Air-Command technology. Presently, Dometic is the only major roof air manufacturer that does not use dual fans.
They are available in cool-only and heat pump versions.
Billy & Helen Thibodeaux
Retired from Billy Thibodeaux's Premiere RV, Inc. Scott, LA 70583 I-10 Exit 97
The Farm is near Duson, LA I-10 Exit 92 then N 1 mile on right
Three Full 50 Amp RV Hookups !
billynhelen@me.com
Data Tag: 9404-3908-36XI-2C
1994 Sovereign 36' Widebody on Spartan IC (Mountain Master Lite) Chassis.
Powered by Cummins ISL9-450
Onan 8,000 Quiet Diesel Genset
Toad: 2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Diesel with M&G Car Brake
09-02-2015, 08:41 PM
RustyOne nice feature of the Atwood is the remote - I set the A/C too low before leaving, but was able to raise the temp enroute before I got frostbite.
The increased capacity is also quite noticeable when parked.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields